Growing up in a large Italian family, Alicia Brady learned very early in life the importance of setting aside time for making memories with the ones you love. Throughout the ever-changing landscape of their cross-country moves from Massachusetts to California and eventually to Charlotte, one thing remained constant: entertaining family and friends against the backdrop of their home’s cherished outdoor spaces, Brady’s parents’ lived by the motto, “the more the merrier.” Now married to her husband, Jon, and the mother of two, Brady wanted to create these same special memories with her own family in their Eastover home, nostalgic for the enjoyment of her own childhood.
“During my entire childhood we had a pool, and my fondest memories are of my large family along with all the neighborhood kids enjoying our backyard and pool year-round. My parents entertained often, and I have the same love of sharing a special place and experience with others,” Brady says. “My ultimate dream was to create a luxury pool and outdoor space where my children, as well as my five siblings and their growing families, could come, hang out, and relax together.”
As a special 40th birthday gift for Brady, her husband set the wheels in motion to make her dream a reality with a complete backyard renovation that would transform their space into a larger, more functional entertainment area. The finished project, completed in April 2017, is a sleek yet livable space that extends the square footage of their home. It includes an all-season outdoor living area featuring a hot tub, heated pool, outdoor wood-burning fireplace, and a large covered porch with four heaters, three large fans, a television, sliding glass doors, and an outdoor kitchen.
Architect Paul Poetzsch with Poetzsch Architecture designed the porch, which was built by TriSquare Construction. “Paul was amazing in executing special decorative details on the stucco porch, which give the design a unique appeal,” Brady says. The home’s original porch was scrapped and replaced by a much larger, freshly-updated version that complements the contemporary feel, while also maintaining the integrity of the home’s existing aesthetic with brick and dark window slats. The larger footprint offers adequate space to accommodate a sectional couch for the televisions, well as a ten-person dining table. B&B Pools completed the pool and surrounding hardscape with extensive bluestone work and creative design by Kevin Crook. “Kevin worked relentlessly with me to execute the overall vision of the pool, fireplace, and hardscape design,” Brady explains. The hot tub is designed to accommodate many guests and the heated pool features a serene infinity edge that overflows to the sunken lower deck with the fireplace.
Another key component in the design is a spacious tanning ledge with submerged chairs that stay cool in the hot summer sun. An umbrella option is also available to provide shade as needed. The pool’s back wall is accented with three simple waterfalls for visual and audible effect. A custom enclosure for Jon’s Big Green Egg (he loves to grill!) seamlessly incorporates the design materials from the fireplace and back pool wall, giving the entire design a cohesive look.
The Brady family is eagerly anticipating their first summer in the backyard oasis, though their space is designed to be accessible in any weather. “We are just beginning to enjoy the benefits of the new backyard living area and are excited to be able to utilize everything year round,” Brady says. “There’s nothing more exciting than anticipating the lifetime of fabulous memories we’ll make here with our kids, extended families, and friends.